A Look Back at AcceleRISE 2024

The 2024 AcceleRISE conference in Washington, D.C., was an incredible experience, and it’s hard to believe how much the event has evolved since my first time attending in 2022. The growth of this conference has been remarkable, and it’s truly inspiring to see so many new faces entering the RISE community.

The event kicked off with an amazing crash course on networking, which was the perfect icebreaker to energize everyone and set the tone for the week. As AcceleRISE is a conference for young professionals in the security industry, networking is typically a newer skill for a lot of attendees. Starting the conference with this session laid a strong foundation, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere from the start.

One of the most memorable moments was the heartfelt diversity, equity and inclusion panel, where speakers shared deeply personal stories about coming out and embracing their authentic selves in the workplace. We often find that these “hard conversations” are avoided in the workplace, which made this session all the more important and unique to the conference. The vulnerability and openness of each speaker created an impact that was palpable throughout the room, reminding us all of the importance of inclusivity and support in our industry.

The conference was incredibly engaging this year, starting day 1 with a fantastic session led by Angie Barnes, who shared her “impatient sales lady” tips, backed up by fun and creative visuals from Top Gun Maverick, and ending with Constantine Tremouliaris’ interactive Shark Tank-esque session on how to be effective in using ChatGPT. Their insights and energy kept the audience engaged, and the lessons shared were practical and relatable throughout the entire conference.

Of course, the annual heated debate was a high point, this year centering around mobile versus physical credentials. The conversation was intense, and both speakers from Wavelynx and BadgePass made compelling arguments, but it was clear that both solutions hold valuable space in the industry. You’re both winners in my eyes.

While this year was jam-packed with truly phenomenal sessions and speakers, one of my favorite parts of AcceleRISE is always the after-hours events. These are the moments where we really come together as a community to bond and get to know each other as individuals, rather than just professionals. From exploring the iconic monuments of D.C. to playing kickball on the National Mall, the camaraderie among attendees was undeniable this year. These experiences reinforced the importance of connecting beyond the conference sessions and served as a reminder that the network we build is more than just one of professional connections, but as friends.

And then, of course, there is the energy between our phenomenal emcee, Constantine, and RISE Chair Dakota Bierly and Vice Chair Esteban Pastor that added an extra layer of connection to the event. While I may be biased towards my fellow steering committee members, I felt that their friendship and personable approach made everything feel even more welcoming and fun, and it was clear they were invested in making this year’s conference special.

Watching AcceleRISE grow year after year is truly exciting. Much of my own network in the security industry has been developed through the RISE community, and I always love reconnecting with everyone at this conference. Seeing this group expand, with new talents and fresh ideas, gives me so much hope for the future of our industry.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.

This article originally appeared in RISE Together: A Newsletter for Emerging Security Leaders, presented by SIA’s RISE community.